Feng Yun was carried back to the manor in Wen Xingsu’s arms.
Her dress was soaked in a large patch, and the embracing figures cast a long shadow under the moon, hazy and romantic, accompanied by the gentle breeze and falling leaves, delicate and tender, presenting a stunning scene.
Of course, this was Wen Xingsu’s perception.
Feng Yun only felt pain in her foot.
Not just the ankle, but also the toes were hurt from stepping down forcefully and being injured by the broken stones, a pain so deep it felt like it was drilling into her heart; she didn’t dare to touch it at all now.
But she didn’t want to appear in front of others like this.
As they approached the manor, she tugged at Wen Xingsu’s sleeve.
"Elder brother, put down. I can walk on my own."
Wen Xingsu looked down and knew what she was worried about, his brows knitting together.
In that mont, a strong sense of loss weighed down his heart as if he couldn’t breathe, not only did he not loosen his grip, but he also tightened it.
"Are you afraid your brother-in-law won’t like it?"
A single ntion of "brother-in-law" demonstrated his forthright stance as an elder brother.
For Feng Yun to say anything more would be inappropriate.
"He won’t mind, it’s just that people talk too much. If soone harbors ill will and starts spreading rumors, it could tarnish elder brother’s good reputation..."
"Then that’s settled."
Wen Xingsu’s gaze was tranquil as he looked at the servants by his side.
"Will you all gossip?"
The group was startled.
"We will not, my lord."
Wen Xingsu lowered his head, looking at Feng Yun.
"You heard them."
In the face of his intense gaze, Feng Yun suddenly found clarity.
She was just injured; what was wrong with her brother carrying her back? Why play at being coy or try to deceive others?
She moved the injured foot, and it hurt sharply again before she finally said:
"Thank you, elder brother."
Wen Xingsu humd in acknowledgnt, glancing sideways to instruct a servant.
"Hurry and fetch Doctor Yao to the manor."
The servant complied and ran off.
Wen Xingsu slowed his pace while still carrying Feng Yun...
He walked very steadily for fear of dropping her again, yet his arms were extrely stiff.
The skin his fingers touched was soft as if boneless, creating a dense layer of goosebumps on his body, unsure how his fingers should be arranged.
Feng Yun was off guard, clutching Wen Xingsu’s lapel with both hands, her mind still pondering the scolding Puyang Yi received, wandering in her thoughts. Wen Xingsu, however, needed to breathe deeply to restrain the ripples in his heart...
He was worried.
And secretly pleased.
He was self-reproachful.
And yet happy.
It was difficult for him to describe what he was feeling at that mont.
It was like a small creature hiding in a corner, peering at the sun, suddenly finding a gust of wind blow open the window, letting a ray of sunlight in for him...
He wanted to hold on tight to that sliver of light, not willing to let go.
Because once it slipped from his palm, it would never return.
It was still early, and the sky hadn’t completely darkened. On the road, they encountered a few villagers returning from the east of the village. Their gazes naturally fell upon the two figures close together, scrutinizing them.
Then, out of curiosity, they asked:
"What happened to the Village Chief’s wife?"
Wen Xingsu simply replied, "She twisted her ankle."
The villagers expressed their concern, just as lights started to shine brightly up ahead.
Before Pei Jue himself arrived, the air had already begun to thin.
The atmosphere beca inexplicably tense.
He approached with his attendants, his large feet making strides, the lantern in his hand blinking.
As he got closer, he glanced at Feng Yun, handed the lantern to Zuo Zhong, and extended his hand toward Wen Xingsu.
"Let ."
Apparently, the person who went to notify Doctor Yao had also inford Pei Jue.
Wen Xingsu was sowhat annoyed.
A subtle, needle-like pain rolled across his heart...
He paused for just an instant.
In that instant, Pei Jue’s gaze t his.
Locked in eye contact in front of so many people, they stood motionless as if frozen in place...
Feng Yun faintly sensed a trace of tension.
"Elder brother. Let down."
She touched Wen Xingsu’s arm, reaching her hand innocently towards Pei Jue under his sharp gaze, and said with a hint of coquettishness, "I carelessly stepped into a ditch earlier, it hurts terribly..."
With such a tone, no one could bear to scold her.
Pei Jue held her in his arms, his gaze lowered, not looking at Wen Xingsu. His tone was indifferent yet filled with concern, "Don’t go out after dark next ti."
Feng Yun grunted, her face contorted:
"I was even planning to visit Andu City tomorrow, to check on Xiaoqi’s house. Now it’s all ruined; I’ll surely wake up swollen like a bun and won’t be able to walk anywhere..."
Pei Jue: "Then rest for a couple of days. There’s no rush."
The two conversed without overt displays of deep affection, yet there was an air of lingering intimacy around them, difficult for outsiders to penetrate...
Wen Xingsu slowed his steps further, trailing far behind them.
The residual warmth on his fingers lingered, yet his arms felt emptily hollow.
Unwarranted feelings of loss amplified his emotions, as well as the sensation of holding her soft, fragrant body in his arms just a mont ago...
He lowered his head.
By the moonlight, he noticed a crease on his clothing.
It was made when he held Feng Yun, creased by her body’s pressure.
Wen Xingsu gently smoothed it out, and let out a low, bitter chuckle.
-
When Feng Yun was placed on the wooden couch by Pei Jue, Yao Ru ca rushing over with a dicine chest in tow.
The others who accompanied him included Puyang Jiu and the little Yuan Shangyi.
They had co from the Yangxin Restaurant.
Puyang Jiu had been called by Pei Jue.
Yuan Shangyi had followed on his own.
Seeing the roomful of people awkwardly standing around, Feng Yun felt embarrassed.
Was all this fuss necessary just for a sprained ankle?
Two doctors in attendance, and even the Young Emperor showed up.
Pei Jue had not expected Puyang Jiu to bring Yuan Shangyi along. He gave him a casual glance and perford the necessary courtesy, gesturing for everyone to take their seats.
Yuan Shangyi didn’t sit on a stool but instead settled himself at the edge of Feng Yun’s couch. His eyes full of worry, he reached out as if wanting to touch her but felt it inappropriate and drew his hand back courteously.
"Does it hurt, my lady?"
"No." Feng Yun shook her head, her voice warm as she smiled, "See, being inattentive while walking cos with punishnt—I’ve reaped the consequences..."
Yuan Shangyi frowned and looked up at Puyang Jiu.
"dical Officer Puyang, is it serious?"
Puyang Jiu glanced at Doctor Yao.
He and Doctor Yao had arrived at the sa ti, and at that mont, Doctor Yao was already rolling up his sleeves preparing to examine Feng Yun’s injury, so it wasn’t appropriate for him to intervene.
"Your Majesty, do not worry." Puyang Jiu smiled slightly, choosing words that could be universally applied, to comfort the Young Emperor.
"The Princess is blessed by Heaven, she will be fine, really fine."
Pei Jue gave him another look.
Puyang Jiu felt a tingling at the back of his neck, unsure of what had irked the Prince of Yonghuai, as his gaze seed ready to impale him.
Yao Ru examined Feng Yun’s injury, had a servant bring a round stool to place in front of the couch, and gestured for her to stretch her foot out onto it.
"Fortunately, there’s no damage to the bone. I’ll first apply massage and then a warm compress. It should be nothing serious, but with the tendons damaged, it will take so ti to heal completely. My lady will have to endure..."
Hearing Yao Ru’s words, Feng Yun felt a bit frustrated.
She had so many things to attend to recently...
Wen Xingsu, watching the conflict on her face, apologised:
"It’s my fault. If I hadn’t gone to look at the houses, this wouldn’t have happened."
Feng Yun started to laugh, "It was my idea to take you to see them... You need to get up early tomorrow, brother, so you should go rest. I’ll be fine."
Wen Xingsu pursed his lips.
He wanted to stay, to personally take care of her.
Just like when she was injured in their childhood...
Back then, by her side, it was only him, her close one.
But tis are indeed different now...
"Alright." Wen Xingsu agreed, turning to the Young Emperor and the rest inside the room, offered a salute to each, and withdrew.
Pei Jue looked up, his eyes following Wen Xingsu’s retreating, lonely figure.
Feng Yun turned to Yuan Shangyi, "It’s getting late, Ayuan. You should go back too, so you don’t keep Female Historian Lin waiting..."
Yuan Shangyi pouted slightly.
He really wanted to stay.
But, eting Pei Jue’s gaze, he lost his nerve.
In the end, he obediently nodded his little head and stood to follow Dong Bai back to the Yangxin Restaurant.
Puyang Jiu, waiting for Yao Ru to properly treat Feng Yun’s injury, also planned to leave stealthily. But as soon as he stepped out of the room, Pei Jue followed suit.
"Good heavens! Quiet as a ghost—are you trying to scare to death?"
Puyang Jiu, playing the villain-in-advance, clutched his chest and turned to glare at him.
Pei Jue gave him a cold look and gestured, "Co here."
He walked beneath the eaves of the corridor, standing tall.
Puyang Jiu’s lips twitched slightly, and he hesitantly followed, whispering, "What secret matters do you want to discuss in the dead of night?"
Pei Jue said, "Where’s the dicine you prepared?"
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